Daniel Chester

Born in 1976, Daniel Chester is a visual artist living in County Leitrim, Ireland. He has a Masters in Visual Arts Practices from the College of Art and Design, Dunlaoghaire, Dublin. Recent shows include “New Enviroments” Ballina Arts Centre, Corporate Republic, Leitrim Sculpture Centre and Successful Flaws, Roscommon Arts Centre.

The current body of research is a visual enquiry into the effects of mans over consumption of natural materials and the continuous destruction and long term detrimental effects this is having on the rural landscape of Ireland. The research particularly focuses on the landscape on counties Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo and Mayo and aims to question what relationship can be connected between the over indulgence of Irish people during the last 15 years and our historical and sacred connection to our environment.

As part of this area of interest I am also fascinated in the reality of the “Commons in Society” and the connection between the moral responsibilities of the community towards the landscape. The ownership of parks, greens, lanes, walkways and green areas that is open to the public. My current area of research also extends to an enquiry into traditional drawing and painting of the landscape, in particular the idea and notion of romantics within the rural landscape. Areas of continued interest include artist such as Casper Fredrick, German romanticism painting, notions of disillusion with materialism, return to the natural world, death, destruction and resurrection.

Daniel Chester’s practice investigates issues that look at contemporary Ireland within the framework of social, political and economic conditions. Through the use of drawings, painting, and photography Chester aims to question the abuse of the power within contemporary Ireland and how this has had a dramatic effect on the Irish psyche, landscape, confidence and economic future.

Artist C.V?

Education

Masters in Visual Arts Practices, Dunlaoghaire College of Art and Design, Dunlaoghaire Dublin